Impeachment

Impeachment, formal accusation of a crime or other serious misconduct brought against a public official by a legislature. The term sometimes includes the trial by the legislature that follows. Impeachment began in England as a way of putting officials on trial who were derelict in their duties. Under U.S. constitutional procedure the House of Representatives has the power to impeach; the Senate tries the impeached officials. Grounds for impeachment are: “Treason, Bribery or other High Crimes and Misdemeanors,” generally interpreted as being limited to demonstrably criminal acts in the United States. Conviction requires a two-thirds vote of all senators present and voting, providing there is a quorum, and entails automatic removal from office. The chief justice of the United States presides. In U.S. history Congress has impeached 11 officials and convicted 4. President Andrew Johnson was impeached but later acquitted in the Senate by one vote. In 1974, after the House Judiciary Committee recommended his impeachment, Richard M. Nixon resigned as president of the United States.